Post Lockdown Cup: Five clubs taking part feel hopeful that supporters' will be able to attend games

Five teams in the Southern Counties East Football League will be taking part in the Post Lockdown Cup next month.

Premier Division sides Chatham Town, Lordswood, Punjab United and Sheppey United will be joined by First Division outfit Rochester United in the inaugural tournament to celebrate the return to normality.

The competition will be played in a league format with everyone playing each other twice and the top two teams will contest the final.

Each club will stage home games, other than Sheppey United, whom will play their home games at Chatham Town’s Maidstone Road ground as their base at Holm Park is having a 3G artificial playing surface laid.

Games start on Tuesday 18 May and the tournament will last five weeks with the Final taking place on Tuesday 22 June at Chatham Town's Maidstone Road ground.

“By starting on 18 May, we are hopeful that supporters will be able to attend games but this will depend on Government advice closer to the time,” said a statement from Lordswood.

“We ask all supporters to be mindful of current Covid regulations issued by the Government and to observe these at all times when attending our grounds.

“Due to the possibility of reduced capacities, advance ticket sales/all-ticket games may be necessary.

“Home sides will announce ticket details and matchday instructions accordingly.”

The Southern Counties East Football League has confirmed that this is not one of their competitions but organised by the clubs involved.

Deal Town play Hellenic League Premier Division side Binfield in The FA Vase Third Round behind closed doors at The Charles Sports Ground tomorrow.

Both sides last played a competitive fixture on Saturday 5 December 2020 when they both needed to win a penalty shoot-out away from home to reach this stage of the competition.

The winners will travel to Norfolk to play Eastern Counties League First Division side Fakenham Town in the last 32, behind closed doors, on Saturday 17 April 2021.

Tuesday 18 May 2021

Sheppey United  v  Punjab United (7:45pm)
(at Chatham Town FC)

Rochester United  v  Chatham Town (7:45pm)

Saturday 22 May 2021

Chatham Town  v  Punjab United (1:30pm)

Lordswood  v  Sheppey United (3:00pm)

Tuesday 25 May 2021

Sheppey United  v  Rochester United (7:45pm)
(at Chatham Town FC)

Lordswood  v  Punjab United (7:45pm)

Friday 28 May 2021

Lordswood  v  Rochester United (7:45pm)

Saturday 29 May 2021

Chatham Town  v  Sheppey United (3:00pm)

Tuesday 1 June 2021

Lordswood  v  Chatham Town (7:45pm)

Punjab United  v  Rochester United (7:45pm)

Saturday 5 June 2021

Rochester United  v  Sheppey United (3:00pm)

Punjab United  v  Chatham Town (3:00pm)

Tuesday 8 June 2021

Rochester United  v  Lordswood (7:45pm)

Sheppey United  v  Chatham Town (7:45pm)
(at Chatham Town FC)

Saturday 12 June 2021

Punjab United  v  Lordswood (1:00pm)

Chatham Town  v  Rochester United (3:00pm)

Tuesday 15 June 2021

Punjab United  v  Sheppey United (7:45pm)

Chatham Town  v  Lordswood (7:45pm)

Saturday 19 June 2021

Rochester United  v  Punjab United (3:00pm)

Sheppey United  v  Lordswood (3:00pm)

Tuesday 22 June 2021

Final (7:45pm)
(at Chatham Town FC)